That left him on five over par, which actually became a better score as the day wore on with conditions on the course worsening throughout the afternoon.

Poulter - second in last month's Open Championship - was angered by the course set-up and three particularly long par-three holes of 198, 238 and 257 yards.

"I drove it a little better and had more shots from the fairway which makes it a little easier, but you are just trying not to bleed to death out there," the Englishman said.

"It's just like the PGA to slice your throat on the first tee and you have to try and make it round to the 18th without dying.

"I wish I was a couple better yesterday. I putted really well today with two putts for distance, so it is okay.

"But it is just frustrating when you stand on par threes and you are hitting five iron and aiming for a greenside bunker because you know that is the only way you can make par.

"That's pretty sad. I am very disappointed we are having to do that on such a great golf course just because of the infatuation of having to put 30 yards on par threes when they think we are hitting irons 30 yards past where we used to.

"We might hit our drives 30 yards further but we are certainly not hitting our irons, so why should we be aiming for bunkers to try and make par? That personally is not right, is not on, it's unacceptable."